NEC's 2025 EM Alumni Award Winners
The 2025 EM Alumni Award, sponsored by the Entrepreneurial Musicianship and Alumni Engagement teams, provides funding and support for the aspiring projects of NEC alumni. Granted annually to NEC graduates, the award includes a stipend along with project consulting from the Entrepreneurial Musicianship team. Krishan, Yoona, and Anna will be awarded $1,500 toward their respective projects, and Greta and Talitha will be awarded $500.
Krishan Oberoi ’96 premieres his one-act opera, Hello, World?, at Providence College as part of its professional concert series. This production marks the beginning of what promises to be a full-scale opera in the future. The performance blends contemporary themes with a compelling musical score, setting the stage for a thought-provoking exploration of technology, identity, and human connection. Oberoi’s work lays the groundwork for a significant contribution to the world of opera, offering a glimpse into the future of this evolving art form.
Yoona Kim ’24, a current NEC student, is innovating in the realm of traditional music with her project Electronic Ajaeng. The ajaeng, a traditional Korean stringed instrument, is being transformed by Yoona into an electronic version that preserves its classic sound while opening up new possibilities for performances in modern electronic music contexts. Her work bridges the gap between classical instrumentation and cutting-edge technology, offering a unique perspective on how traditional music can evolve in the 21st century.
Anna Abondolo ’22 brings a new and introspective take on the singer-songwriter genre with her project Worldwide Seagull. Her work explores the vulnerability and complexities of performing solo, delving into the tension between sincerity and theatricality. Worldwide Seagull will soon be available on all major streaming platforms, allowing a global audience to experience her emotive storytelling and dynamic musical style.
Greta Myatieva ’19 is committed to creating sustainable performance opportunities for musicians across genres through her project Lost In Sound. She is partnering with Maxwell Social in Tribeca to present an intimate classical chamber music performance that blends music with unique experiential elements, aimed at reaching younger and more diverse audiences.
Talitha MacKenzie ’82 offers a stunning tribute to the legacy of French composers with her performance Tombeau: Couperin & Ravel. Celebrating the 150th anniversary of Maurice Ravel’s birth, this event combines Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin with François Couperin’s Concerts Royaux, accompanied by Baroque dance. MacKenzie’s reimagining of these works with modern insights into 18th-century sensibilities promises a captivating experience that blends classical music with historical performance practices.
These projects showcase the remarkable talent emerging from New England Conservatory, with each artist bringing a fresh perspective to their craft while honoring the rich traditions of their musical roots. The NEC alumni continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in music, performance, and cultural expression.
